We asked a student at the University of Toronto in Mississauga, Minti Patel, what should a student know before visiting one of the most famous and highly acclaimed student cities in the world, Toronto. Here are her insights…
Toronto is a cosmopolitan city which offers students a chance to indulge in engaging activities and delicious cuisines from around the world, and at the same time is home to one of the world’s best universities, The University of Toronto, fondly known as U of T. Ranked 25th in the world for its teaching and ground-breaking research, the University of Toronto has 3 different campuses. Across these campuses, about 23,000 international students and a whopping 70,000 students in total, undertake their higher education.
For students, the city offers quite a lot of engaging activities like any metropolitan in the world and was aptly ranked 11th by QS in 2019 as one of the best student cities in the world. The fact that the University of Toronto’s St.George campus in downtown Toronto is home to over 60,000 students, undergraduate and graduate, means that students are likely to meet many like-minded students in the city. Moreover, the international presence in this city is unparalleled, with over 159 countries being represented at U of T alone! It is the sheer diversity of activities and a strong, inclusive community that make Toronto a young and vibrant city.
Students should carry around their ID cards to avail lucrative student discounts in a variety of stores and restaurants in Toronto. Yonge street offers a wide variety of restaurants which serve up delicacies that are sure to attract students from all over the city!
Another top tip is that students should apply for an Ontario card, which acts as a proof of identification. It also is proof of your student status, so may help you get cheaper tickets at attractions, and provide identification in age-restricted venues. Toronto has quite a few attractions, such as the picturesque CNN tower, that stands tall over the city, and the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Moreover, as an international student, it is advisable to carry some identification with you wherever you go, and carrying your passport along with the student visa can be risky!
Lastly, a Presto card enables students to access public transportation easily and conveniently. For students living in accommodation located away from the university, or who have taken up employment away from their accommodation, the Presto card can prove to be cheaper and more accessible than having to buy tickets every time you want to use public transportation!
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